“No one ever told me when I was growing up that make-up and skirts were just for girls. If you’re confident and you own it, [the other kids] are fine with it…I’ve always supported the lifestyle that I will do what I please and deal with it.”- Dominic Monaghan

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“I feel sorry for him. I think it’s really sad. What a tragic character. He’s tragic. People like Ted Haggart [sic] – that’s tragic. Or Mark Foley. These are living tragedies. They’re people who want to be part of a society that does not want them, and so they’re willing to be secretive about their sexuality and hide who they are, and really who they are is not bad, it’s not criminal at all. But it drives them to sort of criminalizing acts. It’s really sad.”- Margaret Cho on disgraced Senator Larry Craig.

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“…In all the years that I was on the show, I had a very strong gay following and I always cherished that, you know? That they didn’t think that because of my faith that I was some sort of intolerant, condemning, self-righteous person. I never got that from them. I got a lot of criticism from the faith world, believe me, for the choices I made through the years. I think people are sometimes afraid of somebody who’s different from themselves simply because they don’t know it. I think anybody that can only stay in their own pew, people who think and act and believe every way exactly the same, I mean…you want to talk about living a boring life. So I’ve always sensed tremendous support from the gay community and I’m very, very grateful for it…”
- Kathie Lee Grifford about her gay fans from the “Regis” days…

“People from all walks of life are embracing Luke and Noah and want them to be happy. That is pretty awesome. Also, my personal belief is that the hugely positive reaction says a lot about what we stand for as a country. We need to accept each other and embrace differences of all kinds.”
- actor Van Hansis (Luke) to fans supportive of the gay love story on “As the World Turns.”

“Everyone’s gotta have a voice, to be able to speak out. Left supresses right, right supresses left, and what’s left and what’s right? You know? It’s America. You gotta be able to speak out. That’s why people came here from all over the world: to have a fair shake. Not more than somebody else – the same.”
- Cyndi Lauper

“It’s difficult to stand up for gay people. When white people stand up for black people, it’s perceived as doing something good. But when straight people stand up for gay people, they’re perceived as gay.
- Out former NBA player John Amaechi

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“I have never felt compelled to share with you my bathroom habits or share with you my bedroom habits,’ he says. ‘Everyone has a right to privacy, so I have never felt–even though I am famous–that I had to share that with anybody.”
- John Travolta, when asked about speculation surrounding his sexuality

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“Elisabeth [Hasselbeck] needs a lobotomy! How can she defend the Bush administration? Being pregnant doesn’t [screw] with your head that much.”
- Sharon Osbourne on “The View” co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck

“I was raised by drag queens, practically … my mother died when I was four-years-old, so I was effectively raised by a bunch of different people. A lot of those people were friends of my sister, Kathleen, who had all these gay friends. She would baby-sit me everyday, and she would take me over to her friend’s houses with all kinds of things going on: tucking, and eyebrow drawing, waxing, all sorts of things. I was literally raised by gay men.”
- “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo

” Me, I don’t want any children, I don’t want responsibility. I am gay, I smoke weed and I do exactly what I want in my life because of my talent. I represent an ideal which others have had to let go and they blame me for that. Especially men.”
– George Michael

Before I even get started, let’s just get it out of the way: this photo of David Beckham is not just the beefcake shot of the year, it might be the shot of the decade.
OK, let’s proceed…

I was at a really swell dinner party the other night and as we were all having wine in the living room after a terrific meal, the subject got to my blog and the beefcake photos I sometimes like to run. Someone mentioned how cool it is that beautiful men are all over the pages of magazines and on the Internet nowadays – you don’t have to have a subscription to International Male to get an eyeful. If you don’t know what International Male is, I think I might hate you.
Anyway, here are some of my favorite shots of beautiful men in 2007 starting with Christopher Gorham (above) in a brief but very memorable fantasy scene from “Ugly Betty.” And then there is the Silver Fox, Anderson Cooper of CNN. I just love that Anderson is showing off his guns more when he’;s out in the field and even out and about like in this photo. Is there a sexier combination than a man with looks AND brains?

I just love Mario Lopez’s credo: If you’ve got a great caboose, show it off on Halloween!

Some people say they are a bit tired of seeing photos of Matthew McConaughey running around without a shirt on. I am not one of those people.

This is Justin Chambers, host of “Human Weapon” on The History Channel. Whatta dreamboat.

At 30, Carlos Moya is one of the oldest players on the men’s tennis tour. And yet he’s playing some of his best matches in years and is still ranked in the top 20. He was once ranked number won in the world and won the French Open in 1998. If you ever go to the Pacific Life Open tournament just outside Palm Springs in March, you can usually see the Spanish hearthrob on the practice courts, shirtless. It’s more fun than any match you will see there!

For the too-brief time they were on “Big Brother” this summer, Mike and Nick sure made the show more watchable! Where are they now I wonder?

Football’s Brady Quinn is way too young for me…but I’m gonna drool all over him anyway!

Don’t ya just love it when pro football’s top quarterback embraces his beefcake status? Here is Tom Brady looking beautiful…But even Tom can’t hold a candle to the sexiest athlete alive. Here are a few more poses from Mr. Beckham!

It’s nice to see Cher and her daughter, Chastity Bono, out and about. We haven’t seen or heard much from Cher since she wrapped up her farewell concert tour. Here’s hoping the Vegas thing really does happen or that Cher makes another movie – even a small role – in something. As fior Chastity, I’m not sure what she’s up to these days but I wish her health and happiness…

So far, the Greg’s List postings on my favorite Movies, Television Shows and Events of 2007 have been limited to five. I found that to be impossible so I settled on more than a dozen!!! As I sifted through the months, I was reminded again of how fortunate I am to be able to talk to so many people whose work and abilities I appreciate and admire, who I am a big fan of, or who just make me laugh!
Here are the links to some of my favorite interviews of the past year…

The first time I ever watched Wimbledon was in 1980 – the year best known for the epic five-set duel between Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe won by Borg – barely. But the day before that match, Evonne Goolagong beat Chris Evert for the women’s title in straight sets and became one of the only players to win a grand slam tournament after giving birth.

While Chrissie spent years ranked number one in the world – finishing the year with the top ranking seven different times from the mid-70s through early 80s, Evonne never did become the top player – or so we thought.

The WTA tour announced this week that Evonne actually did reach number one for a two week period in 1976 but when some tournament records were transferred to a computer, all of Goolagong’s points were not entered and she never received the top ranking. That was a stretch in which she was in the middle of winning six tournaments, including the Australian Open and the season-ending Virginia Slims Championship.
Goolagong had a gorgeous all-court game with one of the most beautiful backhands. She won seven grand slams including two Wimbledons, a French Open and four Australian Opens. She was a runner-up at the U.S. Open four straight years. But when she lost, you never got the feeling that she was gonna be in a bad mood for a week. She just seemed like such a happy person. And to win those big titles, she had to beat the likes of Evert, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Margaret Court.

The WTA has amended its records, making Goolagong the 16th No. 1 player since the introduction of tour computer rankings in 1975 and two weeks ago, the 56-year-old received a trophy from the WTA that is now displayed in her oceanside home.
“I’m very proud of the achievement,” Goolagong told The Associated Press. “I was on a roll for that stretch in 1976. It was a great surprise to hear after all these years.”
While 16 players have reached number one over the past 32 years, it’s only in the past decade that the ranking has been held by so many different players. Prior to the Justin Henin/Amelie Mauresmo/Serena Williams/Maria Sharapova/Venus Williams/Lindsay Davenport/Kim Clisters/Jennifer Capriati/Martina Hingis era, it was next to impossible to break the stranglehold that legends Evert, Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles had on the ranking from 1975 to 1997.
That makes Goolagong’s achievement – even 31 years late – even more impressive.

The coolest part of my job is getting to go to all kinds of events that I’d never otherwise be invited to like the Oscars, the Emmys, the Grammys, the Golden Globes and on and on. It was not easy to narrow down my favorites but I gave it a shot. Here is a recap my top five favorite events of 2007. The selections are based soley on how good a time I had.

The Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon: One really cool thing about the Oscar nominees luncheon is that there is no pecking order when it comes to seating. Nominees are spread out throughout the Beverly Hilton Hotel ballroom which means there is no single table dedicated to “The Departed” or “Babel” etc.
So this is why I found myself sitting right NEXT to Jennifer Hudson at lunch. You know, “Can you pass the butter?” close.Then the table right next to us fills up and i realize I am sitting back-to-back with Leonardo DiCaprio…Even though I have covered the industry for going on eight years, I realize that this is a really singular experience for me and I try and take it all in. But I’m also hungry so I’m not so overcome with awe that I don’t dig into an appetizer platter …;

The 2007 GLAAD Awards: Neil Patrick Harris seemed very at ease as he did interviews on the red carpet. When he got to me he said: “It’s enjoyable. This is my first GLAAD Awards and everybody’s really nice and it’s representing good positivity so I’m all for that.”I asked him if being out publicly has changed his life much. “Oh, not at all. But I was never really skulking around so it’s all kind of interesting.” I met Matthew Rhys (Don’t we look cute together? Take THAT Scotty!). When he started talking to me, I had to stop and laugh. I said, “I’ve never heard you talk with the accent! I’ve never heard your real voice.” The Welsh actor, who does a superb American accent as Kevin, cracked up. Mathew walked the red carpet with co-stars Ron Rifkin and Patricia Wettig and the three of them were having a ball. That must be a fun set. Then a serious question for Mr. Rhys: who is a better kisser? Scotty (Luke MacFarlane) or Chad (Jason Lewis)?
“It’s like choosing between a Porche and a Mercedes. But Jason Lewis has very soft lips.”
Also gabbed with Loni Anderson about “So NoTORIous,” Dave Annable and Jason Lewis about “Brothers & Sisters,” Garry Marshall about “Beaches” Darryl Stephens and the cast of “Boy Culture” and John Amaechi and Dave Koz about being out and proud. To read all about my red carpet encounters on that night, click HERE.

The Advocate 40th Anniversary Party:I was invited to anniversary gala for The Advocate as a guest and wanted to enjoy the evening just meeting people and hanging out. But at the last minute, I stick my tape recorder in my pocket (just in case) and I dash out the door. When I got to the party at Republic near West Hollywood, I saw a red carpet and headed straight to it instead of the guest check-in table. I had stars to interview! Had not reserved a space on the red carpet but just crashed it. Just sorta got right in there and stuck my recorder in Nikki Blonsky’s face! Got all kinds of great interviews that night including chats with TR Knight, Katherine Heigl and James Marsden. Click HERE for the full recap!

LA Gay & Lesbian Gala: Jenifer Lewis got three standing ovations, Lorri Jean inspired everyone, Alec Mapa had more costume changes than Diana Ross, Shirley MacLaine was in a playful mood, and Linda Ronstadt performed a lovely version of “Time After Time” with the Gay Men’s Chorus without telling the audience how sick she was.It was the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center Gala and Auction at the Century Plaza Hotel. It was my first time at this event. I’ve attended many center events over the years that night was the first time I really got it. I got how good this organization is, how important it is and how much it means to so many people. To read a more extended version from that evening, click HERE.

Outfest 2007: Why does the Los Angeles LBGT Film Festival mean so much to me? It is such a pleasure to be able to see people like me up there on the screen in so many different genres and in well-written, well-acted quality films of substance. I was sititng with a twentysomething friend at one of the screenings this summer who was feeling sort of over everything.
And I said to him: “You know why I’m not over everything? Because I remember what it was like to live in the closet, to not have many gay movies to see and many of those out there were about painful subjects like AIDS and living in the closet. There were so few stories with hope and that really shapes you when you’re a teen and in your 20s. You wonder, “How can I ever have a happy life?”
But Outfest is about more than seeing terrifc movies (I took in about 30 this year between screenings and screeners) and meeting stars and directors and writers. It’s about having fun with friends and making all kinds of new acquaintances. I’ve gotten so many nice e-mails in recent days from people saying: “What are we going to do now that Outfest is over?” Mainly, it’s just the whole experience of being with thousands of people for nearly two weeks and having so many shared experiences – kind of like an alternative universe of gay people.

Every few months, I run edited versions of some of the emails I’ve received. I usually edit out last names. If you send me an email and don’t want it published, be sure to indicate that!

READERS ON JODIE FOSTER COVERAGE

Greg,
I was just checking out CNN online and they had teaser link on their homepage which said something like…Jodie Foster acknowledges gay lover. It was a video, here is the link http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/showbiz/2007/12/13/intv.jodie.foster.king.cnn
but they didn’t acknowledge you or credit you w/reporting it. Whats up w/that? I know you had already blogged about other blogs not giving you credit and that you didn’t really care but I thought CNN, the most credible source for news or so they say, surely would mention you. Sadly, not the case. Anyway, keep up the good work man. Always enjoy your blog and I thought your interview w/PR Week was outstanding! Keep talking talking talking. All the best and have a great holiday!
- Mark
PS Did you read Kenneth in the 212 entry about his Dad? One of the most beautiful, heart breaking, and personal entries ever read on a blog. Thanks for turning me on to him too.

Greg writes: I DID read that entry by my friend Kenneth Walsh and was so deeply moved. I’m always happy to send folks over to his blog. Here is a link to Savage Love, his moving post about his relationship with his father.

Greg,

Your story about Jodie Foster’s acknowledgment of her partner was great. You reported on what happened without “outing” her — because they were her own words, and they were indeed newsworthy.

Most interesting is this: An AP story available via Google (linked below) doesn’t mention her acknowledgment of her partner. But links are provided on the same Web page for “Related news” and “Full coverage” — which contain stories carrying the news of her acknowledgment! So the huge mainstream news organization doesn’t mention it, and it takes a Google News search of smaller blogs and media outlets to read about it. How typical. http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hYxu9ROqT-SPwNYpWqEByK94y13wD8TBEFA80
- Eric

Hey Greg-
Just read your item re: the Advocate’s coverage of Jodie Foster’s “coming out” – I have to tell you, it has been fascinating to watch all the media coverage emanating from your story. I’ve had several discussions about it with friends and actually think this would make for a great NLGJA forum. I suspect that she in no way intended to “come out” at the event and that she didn’t expect anybody to report on her public remarks thanking a woman who would be identified as her partner (even with the language she used). All too often, reporters play a supporting role in helping celebs stay in the closet, to the extent that they withhold relevant news and information about them. Thankfully, you did not!

What’s so interesting to watch is how the media, as they so often do, distort the story so much that many people believe Jodie came on stage somewhere and said “Hey, y’all I’m a dyke!” It’s just another example of the sorry state of journalism today. And, of course, I’m surprised and disappointed that The Advocate, along with so many other publications, would mis-report the story and fail to credit yo.

Jim

Hi Greg,

We covered your great Jodie piece last night and its currently running on both sites. My angle was that I wanted to ask our readers if they thought Jodie’s words “outed” her. I credited you throughout. Great job.
Jodie:

PROUD OF TR KNIGHT
Greg,
Thank you for the coverage you’ve done on TR Knight since his coming out. I’m pleased he has chosen to bring due attention to worthy LGBT causes and he has not turned his back on his community. Most of all I’m a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan and have loved his character since the beginning but the dignified and gracious way he came out, which contrasted with the ugliness of the incident, made me love him more. I wish the mainstream news media would report on him apart from the incident but I’m more than happy to check your blog daily.

Sincerely,
Gwen

Greg writes: I think T.R. is da bomb!

LIKES THE BLOGS’ POSITIVE TONE
Greg,
I just wanted to send you a note on how enjoyable both “Out In Hollywood” and “Hollywood Joe” are. They are a lot of fun to read and this is the gossip I like, positive thoughts, interviews and responses. I know that we all get up on the bad side of the bed and there are a few of the celebrities that always seem to do that, whether it is their attitude or what comes out of their month and you even try to make them look good.

What is really interesting is that the celebrities actually like you and that gives you more complete information as they stop to spend time with you. That means a lot to us readers. Keep up the great job. I have delisted TMZ and Preze from my computer. You are the only one. I go to when I need a celebrity fix.

Thanks, Allen

Greg writes: Allen, you sure know how to make a guy feel appreciated. Thanks.

CHILDHOOD CRUSHES
Hi Greg,
OMG! I thought Kent McCord was only my first crush but as I can see he had an impact on many of us young guy guys growing up. He is such a hunk after all these years–All I can say is that you and I have great tastes. Also, I remember seeing Tom Jones in a speedo in my mom’s Rona Barrett’s Hollywood magazines and I knew then, at the age of 7, that I was attracted to boys. Keep up the great work on your site.
Joe

HE WANTS MORE RYAN BARRY

Greg,
Man, you can post ALL the pictures you want of Ryan Barry! He could be the hottest man on the freakin’
PLANET! You GO, Reichen! DAMN!